I know that there have been many threads on this topic but I am looking for any CURRENT experiences and/or information on the BMW Extended Vehicle Protection plans.
My 2009 loaded 35i Zed is coming up to the end of the 4yr/50,000 factory warranty on 6/30/13.
It only has 27K in which I put the last 1000 miles on it after my pre-owned purchase at 26K miles.
I most likely will only put 2-4K miles per year on it, as it is my fun car, so I am not worried about miles BUT am concerned about age and time.
The BMW Extended Vehicle Protection is offering:
1. PowerTrain Plus (PT) for 36 months and 70,000 miles for $2,180.
2. Gold- for 36 months or 70K for $3,140.
I am leaning towards the PT and self insure the difference.
I am a very good mechanic, BUT I cannot repair the DCT Trans, turbos or the high tech parts on this machice which are costly.
I have weighed the self insurance side based upon my low mileage and then set aside mainteniance funds for repairs. This wll be Difficult at best with 2 kids in college.
This car MUST be maintained which I will do or else.
Has anybody purchased this plan or similar recently?.
If so, from where and who has the best price for the BMW same plan?.
I have seens Dealers offer these plans at discounted prices or Promo's. Any out there right now. BMW of New Haven is offering $100 off until 4-1-13
If I am going to buy a plan it will be from Bimmer ONLY and not an after market plan.

I think you answered your own question. "I'm not worried about miles but I am worried about time." You shouldn't be worried about time. Parts fail based on how much use they've gotten, not how long they've been in your car. So, IMO, an extended warranty is a waste since it will lapse based on time. You're never going to hit 70K before the warranty runs out. Take the money you would have spent on the warranty and set it aside for repairs.

The car, since my ownership from Sept 12 to now, 6 months and 1K miles, has been trouble free. I am very particular espicially with this level of sophistication in this Z. Before my puchase i had the dealer put brand new Bridgestorne RFT's on it, i told them I did not like the condition of the rotors, so again, Before I purchased it I requested that BMW inspect it and they did replace the F brakes under warranty. A the time of the F brake replacement i asked the BMW dealer to inspect the car which they did and it proved un eventful with no service recommendations. It is now due for oil change service and I am going to again have them inspect it top to bottom even if I have to pay foe 1-2 service hours, along with the battery cable recall. My only fear is the potential failure of the 14k DCT trans or the turbo system or something expensive well above the $2K warranty premium. Unlikely as an N54 engine and DCT trans failure may be, as they are in service Throughout the 3 and some 5 series and has has good service record behind it, a failure out of warranty would be difficult to over come.

Rider, I think you're freaking out about this car's build quality. You're only going to drive it 2-4k miles per year, as you stated, and it has only 26k on it now; you're barely using the car. These cars are not pieces of crap. If you think you can't drive a BMW for 100k without a serious problem, rethink your purchase. At 4k per year, you have about 19 years of driving before 100k. Take your $3000 and add $100/month to the fund for a future repair. At least you'll get to keep your money rather than fork it over for a warranty plan. Chances are you'll never use it.

That why I wrote this thread to get all different and valued Z owner presepctives.
I have lots of thinking and great opinions to consider before 6-30-13.
My former ride, 2008 Acura TL-Type S had $0 issues. However I have to state I only put 8000 miles on it in 4.5 years.

As well and agree, the Bimmer is better quality BUT much more HP and vastly more expensive to repair, if there are issues.

In any case, In my quest to further educate myself, I came up with this info:

In searching for the best deal on the Powertrain Plus and Gold extended warranty for my 2009 Z4 35I I got the below quote from Schaeffer BMW:
Z4 35I
84/70
Powertrain Plus, Msrp is $2180.00, I will sell for $1580.00
Gold Msrp is $3140.00, I will sell for $2540.00
No sales tax

Read the plan carefully and clarify the dct coverage. Last time I read those warranty contracts they were clear on torque converter based automatics and traditional manual transmissions but not dct. Example. Clutch is excluded. Make sure language (meant for traditional manual gearbox obviously) won't be used against you if you have a dct failure.

Also ensure coverage for the adjustable dampers and roof mechanism.

It is a bit untrue the parts fail solely from use. Rubber seals will degrade over time even if the car is just sitting. That's why I think the roof and dampers should be covered.

Keep in mind the older e89 is just turning 4 years old so there isn't much data on the common long term failure points. DCT gearbox also is also only about 4 years only and isn't in widespread use (08 m3 is earliest application).

Actually, DCT was first brought out by Porsche in the early 1980's for it's race cars, so it's been fairly well developed over the last 30 years.
Look, it's a judgement call. My point is that the cost of the warranty plus some additional money added now and then could easily buy some costly repairs. And you get to keep your money in case there are no repairs rather than give it to the insurance company.
And like you said Nick, there's always the chance of being denied due to an exclusion. Then you've wasted your premium and have to cough up lots of dough.

For your review:
Here is a copy of the actual warranty from BMW.
Bottom line, among all the covered items for the Manual trans and DCT coverage is as follows:
Powertrain PLus- coverage for manual and DCT does not cover the clutch assemblies subject to wear.
GOLD covers the DCT for these items but not for manual trans.

For your review:
Here is a copy of the actual warranty from BMW.
Bottom line, among all the covered items for the Manual trans and DCT coverage is as follows:
Powertrain PLus- coverage for manual and DCT does not cover the clutch assemblies subject to wear.
GOLD covers the DCT for these items but not for manual trans.

I would go gold then or not at all. as far as I understand DCT clutch isn't a serviceable item so it is full gearbox replacement if there is an issue. it would defeat the purpose if you aren't covered in that situation...

@jparnes1 Not sure I would use Porsche motorsport as a proxy for BMW street car durability. If we owned Porsche with PDK maaaybe I would buy it but even for Porsche I think only the 911 turbo / gt3 / gt2 models have a drivetrain that is actually motorsports proven..

I am more concerned about BMW recent history with HPFP, waste gate rattle, N54 limp mode and the other laundry list of drivetrain concerns that owners of 35i fill up the internet with

OP, full disclosure... I'm not fully convinced these newer BMWs with tons of complex electronics and newer tech are going to age as well as the older ones with tried and true naturally aspirated engine / traditional manual gearbox so I leased my car... let someone else figure out the long term durability

Effective 4-1-2013 most plans are increasing in cost for all cars with 10,000 miles or greater. Under 10,000 miles cost are decreasing.

Current Rates
Powertrain Plus, Msrp is $2180.00, Schaeffer will sell for $1580.00- Save $600 off list
Gold Msrp is $3140.00, Schaeffer will sell for $2540.00- Save $600 off list

After 4-1-13
Powertrain Plus, Msrp is $2310.00, Schaeffer will sell for $1710.00- Up $130. Still save $600 off list
Gold Msrp is $3270.00- Schaeffer will sell for $2670 up $130. Still Save $600 off list

In searching for the best deal on the Powertrain Plus and Gold extended warranty for my 2009 Z4 35I I got the below quote from Schaeffer BMW:
Z4 35I
84/70
Powertrain Plus, Msrp is $2180.00, I will sell for $1580.00
Gold Msrp is $3140.00, I will sell for $2540.00
No sales tax

I would go gold then or not at all. as far as I understand DCT clutch isn't a serviceable item so it is full gearbox replacement if there is an issue. it would defeat the purpose if you aren't covered in that situation...

@jparnes1 Not sure I would use Porsche motorsport as a proxy for BMW street car durability. If we owned Porsche with PDK maaaybe I would buy it but even for Porsche I think only the 911 turbo / gt3 / gt2 models have a drivetrain that is actually motorsports proven..

I am more concerned about BMW recent history with HPFP, waste gate rattle, N54 limp mode and the other laundry list of drivetrain concerns that owners of 35i fill up the internet with

OP, full disclosure... I'm not fully convinced these newer BMWs with tons of complex electronics and newer tech are going to age as well as the older ones with tried and true naturally aspirated engine / traditional manual gearbox so I leased my car... let someone else figure out the long term durability

Nick, my point was that DCT isn't new technology. But I certainly agree that there's more potential for problems with newer BMW's than older. Nonetheless, my 2006 525 Steptronic is just shy of 100K and I've had no major issues at all and there's plenty of computerized stuff in there.

Nick, my point was that DCT isn't new technology. But I certainly agree that there's more potential for problems with newer BMW's than older. Nonetheless, my 2006 525 Steptronic is just shy of 100K and I've had no major issues at all and there's plenty of computerized stuff in there.

FWIW for the OP, my personal estimates of the long term problem level with the 35i cars is very high because I had a friend who lemoned a 335 and a 535 for turbo issues and an acquaintance who lemoned a 335 from a variety of minor issues which cumulatively put it in the shop for a while

@jparnes1 those 25i cars were pretty low on power (i used to have a 328i so I know all about having to rev it like a honda to get it to move forward ) so that probably helps durability as well

Thanx all for all the great discussions on this topic. Hope to keep it going.
In any case, I would never leave the car or an of my machines un repaired.
1st it would be unsellable, as stated and useless to me at most any cost.
As I plan to keep this car and drive it more than my last, plus the hi-po, high cost parts on the Z, , I have decided to buy the Gold Plan giving me 36 extra months and 70k miles total, which I will never hit.
This is most comprehensive plan for the majors and I am self insuring the Nav system, sounds system and related entertainment components by not going with the Platinum plan. Those extra $$$ not worth it to me.
I called my local dealer in Mass and told him the price I was quoted at $2540 vs the $3140 list. He told me this is a hard deal to beat but as I offering the opportunity to match the deal he will take the order and save me the $600, from my local servicing dealing which is a bonus.
This is all peace is mind for me, just like my flood insurance that I carry for my house. I am not in an flood zone or flood plain, but as as I live a near the ocean anything can happen, as we just witnessed in NJ and NYC. No insurance, no recovery for major un insured events.

I am also interested in getting an extended warranty plan for my 09 with 13K miles on it. The local dealers here will not budge from the MSRP for these packages .

One other thing to consider might be the Century Warranty Service as offered by Costco. I am thinking of calling them for a quote as I know they can do 3/36, 7/70, 7/100 etc. and their deductibles are also configurable.